2008 Volvo XC70: complaints, problems and recalls

WE BOUGHT OUR VOLVO ON OCT. 22, 2007, AND THE DAY THAT WE BOUGHT IT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. WE HAD TRAVELED TO VERMONT FROM MASSACHUSETTS WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. WE CALLED OUR SALES REP FROM WHOM WE BOUGHT THE CAR TO SEE IF WE COULD STILL DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY. HE SAID WE NEEDED TO BRING IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. WHEN WE RETURNED TO MASSACHUSETTS FROM VERMONT, WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER, STUTZ VOLVO, SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, ON NOVEMBER 7. THEY SUPPOSEDLY THEN FIXED THE PROBLEM, WITH THE MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10211353 at NHTSA ↗

TRAVELING ON A BUSY EXPWAY DURING RUSH HOUR IN LEFT LANE WHEN CAR STARTED BUCKING. I WAS ABLE TO SWITCH 2 LANES AND ALMOST MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER WHEN THE CAR STOPPED AND WOULDN'T START AGAIN. CAR INFORMATION SYSTEM REPORTED THAT THE BATTERY POWER WAS CRITICALLY LOW. I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND CALLED THE POLICE. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS GOING BY TOO QUICKLY (I WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF A EXIT RAMP.) POLICE CALLED THEIR TOW TRUCK TO GET ME OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY. VOLVO ON LINE SERVICE SAID IT WOULD TALE AN HOUR TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236873 at NHTSA ↗

2008 VOLVO XC70 HAD A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT REGISTERED A HALF TANK OF FUEL ON THE GAUGE, BUT THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF GAS. *NJ

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10243729 at NHTSA ↗

RAPID LOSS OF POWER IN FAST LANE ON BUSY HIGHWAY. TWO INCIDENTS. FIRST TIME, GAUGE SAID 90 MILES TO EMPTY. SECOND TIME, 125 MILES TO EMPTY. NO INDICATION OF QUESTIONABLE LOW FUEL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY BOTH TIMES WAS ABLE TO GET PAST SEMI'S, AS VEHICLE LOST POWER TOTALLY IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS. FROM 65 TO 0. OCCURRED IN JANUARY 2009 AND MARCH 2009. JANUARY 2009 REPORTED TO STATE POLICE. MARCH 2009 REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263324 at NHTSA ↗

MY VOLVO'S ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER THEN DIED AND LOST ALL POWER. THIS OCCURRED IN SECONDS AND LEFT MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND I IN A VERY DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY DEADLY TRAFFIC SITUATION. MY GAS GAUGE READ 150 MILES WORTH OF GAS LEFT IN GAS TANK. THE VOLVO WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND CONTROL MODULE. BOTH WERE REPLACED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 21,151 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282928 at NHTSA ↗

2008 VOLVO XC70 ON ROAD TRIP TO COLLEGE ON I-75, STARTED SPUTTERING AND "CHECK ENGINE " LIGHT WENT ON. I EXITED AT NEAREST EXIT LAKE CITY, FL AND PARKED AND CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. MY CAR WAS FLAT-BEDDED AND TAKEN TO OCALA VOLVO. FUEL SENSOR, FUEL TANK , FUEL PUMP ETC REPLACED. I HAD TO USE A LOANER FOR THE ROAD TRIP AFTER ALREADY LOSING ONE DAY OF TRAVEL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288964 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO XC70. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED A QUARTER OF A TANK FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, AS A RESULT OF AN EMPTY FUEL TANK; HOWEVER, THERE WAS FUEL ADDED TO THE FUEL TANK PRIOR TO HAVING IT TOWED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM; AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD IDENTIFY THE P…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325059 at NHTSA ↗

A 2008 VOLVO XC70 WITH APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES STALLED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH. THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED 1/4 TANK AND THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR ON THE DASH WAS NOT ON. THE VEHICLE HAD RUN OUT OF GAS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 30,010 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330545 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-10-26 (October 26, 2007)

IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, TWO SOFTWARE ERRORS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE. THIS MAY RESULT IN A LATE DEPLOYMENT OF THE INFLATABLE CURTAIN (IC) AND SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM (SIPS) AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASH SITUATIONS. IN ADDITION, THIS SOFTWARE ERROR MAY ALSO CAUSE THE 'SRS AIRBAG - SERVICE URGENT' MESSAGE AND SRS WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.

Consequence: LATE DEPLOYMENTOF THE IC AND SIPS AIR BAGS IN CERTAIN SIDE IMPACT CRASH SITUATIONS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A SOFTWARE UPGRADE OF THE SRS CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2007-12-13 (December 13, 2007)

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE WHEEL INFORMATION LABEL LOCATED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PILLAR WAS PRINTED MISSING THE WHEEL SIZE (RIM) INFORMATION.

Consequence: THE PURPOSE OF THIS STANDARD IS TO PROVIDE SAFE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE BY ENSURING THAT VEHICLES TO WHICH IT APPLIES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRES OF ADEQUATE SIZE AND LOAD RATING AND WITH RIMS OF APPROPRIATE SIZE AND TYPE DESIGNATION.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF THE OWNER PREFERS, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2008-01-28 (January 28, 2008)

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR INTEGRATED BOOSTER SEATS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 213, "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS." LABELS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE MISSING WARNING INFORMATION INDICATING THAT 'DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR' IF THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED WHEN USING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS.

Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS USED IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN KILLED OR INJURED IN MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES AND IN AIRCRAFT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LABEL WITH THE CORRECT WARNING INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2009-04-29 (April 29, 2009)

VOLVO IS RECALLING 12,303 MY 2007-2008 S80 AND V70 VEHICLES. THE DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE IN THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) MAY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTIONALITY. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY NOT OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED; OR IN CERTAIN CASES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY ACTIVATE WHEN NOT SWITCHED ON.

Consequence: OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS WITHOUT FUNCTIONING WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CEM AND UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552, OR CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

Reported: 2009-06-12 (June 12, 2009)

VOLVO IS RECALLING 17,614 MY 2008-2009 S80, V70, AND XC70 VEHICLES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MAY STOP WORKING DUE TO A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ERROR IN THE FAN CONTROL MODULE (FCM). DEPENDING ON DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CUSTOMER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED AIR CONDITIONING PERFORMANCE, AND/OR RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE.

Consequence: THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF COOLING SYSTEM FUNCTION AND ENGINE FAILURE. THE DRIVER MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT TIME TO REACT TO THE WARNING LIGHT(S) OR THE TEXT MESSAGE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2010-05-07 (May 7, 2010)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 5, 2006 THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2009 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND A PAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAIN INCORRECT MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE ACCORDING TO FMVSS 110.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO UPDATE THE VEHICLES WITH A NEW FMVSS LABEL, TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND TPMS SOFTWARE. VOLVO RETAILERS WILL ALSO APPLY A LABEL WITH CORRECT MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2010-11-08 (November 8, 2010)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

Reported: 2020-06-30 (June 30, 2020)

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Consequence: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.